Saplings

Free mulberry saplings for London schools and groups

King James I mulberry saplings, propagated from a black mulberry tree at Chelsea Physic Garden, were available free to London schools and non-profit groups, including heritage sites and community orchards, as part of Morus Londinium in 2016 and 2017.

100 trees were planted as part of the project, across London, to regenerate the mulberry population and grow on the next generation of veteran mulberries that will be able to tell their own story. The saplings were given away in time for National Tree Week 2016 and 2017.

The mulberries came potted and just under 1 metre tall, but can eventually grow up to 8m high. The black mulberry, of which the King James I saplings are a variety, is known to spread, so allow space for this. If you have limited space you grow the saplings as a bush, or train them against a wall. The RHS provides good advice on caring for mulberries.